Community & Business
28 October, 2026
120 graves now identified
A PROJECT that involves identifying previously unmarked graves at Mareeba’s Pioneer Cemetery with markers displaying the names of those buried there, is progressing well, with 120 graves now completed.
Volunteers have been busy laying the specially-made markers onto the graves at the Costin Street facility.
Project coordinator Michael Musumeci said the project was beyond rewarding.
“For those of us involved in this project, it is difficult to put into words just how rewarding this work can be,” he said.
“Every grave identified represents another piece of Mareeba’s history recovered, another family name remembered, and another life acknowledged.
“There was also an especially rewarding moment when volunteers unearthed several very old grave plot markers, long buried beneath the dirt.
“These discoveries provided further confirmation that the research and historical records being used to guide the project are on the right track.
“These discoveries are more than simply old markers being brought back to the surface. They provide a tangible connection to the past, helping us piece together the cemetery’s history and establish the resting places of people whose graves had been forgotten by time.”
Mr Musumeci said the volunteers who were undertaking the work deserved the community’s thanks.
“The dedication of our volunteers continues to inspire me. They come not only from Mareeba, but also from neighbouring communities and further afield,” he said.
“Among them are many of our island folk, who spend their working weeks labouring on farms before giving up their own precious free time to come to the cemetery and help restore our town’s history.
“They arrive ready to work, often undertaking physically demanding tasks, carefully searching, digging, checking records and helping piece together information that might otherwise have been lost.
“They do this without seeking recognition, simply because they believe in giving something back to the community. That generosity is truly remarkable.”
Mr Musumeci also thanked the people who prepare and bake food for smoko, and RATCH Australia, which provided funding for the project.
“Without its assistance, we would not have been able to identify and mark so many unmarked graves within such a short period,” he said.
“This support has helped turn years of research and determination into something tangible, allowing these individuals to receive the recognition they deserve.”
If you would like to volunteer, assist with research, or donate towards the Mareeba Pioneer Cemetery Project, please visit the Facebook page Mareeba History and send the page administrators a message.
